Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that (1) Turkish forces shelled the Ain Issa district of Syria on 4 January, (2) a Turkish military base is being built near Ain Issa, and (3) the government of Turkey is reinforcing its existing forces in north and north-west Syria; and what representations they have made to the government of Turkey about those reports.

Ministers and officials maintain regular contact with the Turkish Government and frequently discuss the situation in Syria, including to welcome Turkey's continued efforts to protect civilians in Idlib from a further regime offensive. Most recently, the UK Ambassador in Ankara spoke with Turkey's Director General for Syria on 20 January, when they discussed the situation in north-east Syria, including a recent increase in activity around Ain Issa. In conversations with all actors in Syria we make clear the importance of abiding by their obligations under international law. We welcome the fact that the ceasefires in north-east and north-west Syria are broadly holding and we urge all parties to continue adherence.